Didn't manage to join in last Friday, but here we go now:

1. Went to a demo to speak up for trans rights
2. Met the amazing and astonishing Anna Rosenwasser there and got her autograph 💗
3. Redesigned our bookshop and now have a lot more space for incence and esotericism. I had a lot of fun to place the products into the new shelves.
4. Went for a small trip to Austria with the lovely and beautiful @VaniBarelyReads
5. Went to visit my mum with ⬇

Even though it's not my favorite book by Tokarczuk, it is still a very takarzuk-y book. It has all her elements: complicated characters, nature, history, magic, intertwined stories. Those stories show us that we all belong together somehow, that we all are connected. Even if it's only a tiny string. It's a slow book, like a fresh rainy afternoon in the summer. Actually, you can hear the rain hitting the leaves.

#BacklistReadathon @Clwojick

Listend to this book as English audio book and I feared that I wouldn't quite get all the nuances Lehane uses to write his stories. But even though I might haven't got it all, it was still a very good book. Even though it feels a bit off to read about the suffering of BIPOC written by a white man, as far as I am allowed to judge he does a good job. And I learned another thing or two about American history, which isn't really lectured here.

Listened to this in one day because it really drew me in. The book is a good mix - an interesting plot, some supernatural elements, secrets, emotion. All put together very well, making it an interesting book. Of course I preferred “Utopia“, but that was a whole other genre. This one shows me what good an author Theresa Hannig is and I want to read more of her books.

#BacklistReadathon @Clwojick

This book is really in the database 😂

Well, I'll be finishing my second roll for this months #roll100 tonight, so I thought I can post my May rolls today. I'll wonder how “Kruttingen“ will be. It's some sort of local story. I was attending a reading with three of the four authors and it was a nice event, so I wanted to read the book as well.

Looking forward to the other rolls as well ❤

@PuddleJumper

(just reusing the picture because I kinda like it)

Did I rush through this book? Yes. Did I want to continue reading it forever and ever? Yes. Do I want to read the next book in the series? Yes.

Alexis Hall is good for my soul. I love how these book normalize queer realities without exploiting them. That they show how our society still discriminates, but also simply focuses on the fact of two people meeting and growing together.

He's learning from his book sis and he's pretty good at it 😸😸

#catsoflitsy

Did I ask the library to get the other books by Alexis Hall after reading “Ten Things that never happend“? Did they agree? Am I excited to spend the next few days in the company of Luc? Well... 😄

This book won the Leipzig Book Fair Prize 2024. I've never heard about the author before, but she sure delivers what the title says. The book is short, but intense. I could relate to the characters and their fears more than once. It's about feeling left out, about weltschmerz, about dysfunctional families, about the situations that scare us every day (like phone calls, social interactions, bugs in our food). Reminded me of the series Black Mirror.

Bookish Songs Nr. 5( & 59: The Phoenix - Fall Out Boy & Big Bad Wolf - Roses & Revolutions

This book was so good, I found two songs for it! Or rather - they found me. First came The Phoenix and I immediately was like “That's it!“ I wasn't looking for another song, when “Big Bad Wolf“ came up and I listend to it twice, because first I wasn't paying attention too much. So I now have two songs for one book.

#StarWarsBuddyRead @BookwormAHN

How come that all those new Star Wars books are getting better and better? Iskat is so fascinating and Dawson really took her time to shape a deep character. I now also want to read the comics she's featured in. This book is a real character study and I was involved from beginning to the end. Wow!

#StarWarsBuddyRead @BookwormAHN

Even though it's Saturday already, I'd like to join in ❤
This week the following things bought me joy:

1) the cats. Just being there and being fluffy and all.
2) buying & exchanging new comfy clothes with @VaniBarelyReads (if you're reading this I ❤ you)
3) shipping and fangirling like it's 2003
4) getting new spring-y nails
5) making a new sping-y shop window (with a little help of a dear friend)

#5JoysFriday @DebinHawaii

I think we all agree that #Litsylove letters and book mail are the best ❤ Yesterday I got lucky and had both in my mail box 💛 This little gem is due for another big journey after I read it. Really, I wanted to have this book since I first lay eyes on it. Yes, I totally judge books by their covers (and their authors).

@iread2much

The German translation uses a name more familiar with younger kids. In this case I support the change so children in German speaking countries have a better connection to the story. A story that is so simple, but some people really struggle with that: take children serious and support them. It could be so, so easy. This book shows us that children know who they are and are perfectly comfortable when the surroundings help them finding their way.

Three years have passed since I've read volume four, but I didn't have any troubles finding back into the story. This speaks for Stephen King ans his ability to create unforgettable characters and stories. Still, I guess my big King phase is over, since I'm not sure I would continue reading The Dark Tower series if it wasn't for Oy. Yes, I read the whole books solely because of that Billy-Bumbler.

#serieslove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

This book works for their age group, which I am not one of. I never got into the story and I never felt like I needed to continue reading this. Emily is way too overpowered imo and to me it felt strange that, except for Emily, all characters were males.
But I liked the setting at the cemetery of Père Lachaise in Paris. I ended up googling pictures for way too long 😅 And Gesa Schwartz did a good job of talking about death to a younger audience.

Not the tagged book, but by the same author.

Barbara Yelin spent years talking to Emmie Arbel about her life. This GN shows the whole Emmie Arbel, not just the one who survived the Holocaust. Not just a victim, because Emmie Arbel is no victim. But we see how deep trauma runs, but also that it can be overcome. We have to listen to those voices. We should never forget.

This was a moving biography, told in strong, deep pictures.

This was as good as promised! Loved it, loved it, loved it. A perfect heist book with interesting characters and a special setting. Only the showdown was a bit too confusing, so I lost track what was happening to whom. But that is such a small detail compared to so many pages of enjoyment. This could also be a good start into the Warhammer universe, I'd say.

@PuddleJumper #roll100
@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpin

This is what happens when you raise a cat in a bookish household 😸

#catsoflitsy

The start reminded my a lot of “The Cousins“, which means I loved it. It's twisted, weird, uncomfortable, somewhat dark. We go deep into a mind, that's different. Highly talented, at some point the MC calles herself autistic. But Venturini lost me after the description of Chelas childhood. Her grown-up years just weren't as intense and captivating as her youth. Also, these books show us that translators need more attention and love.

Comfort books.

When I was a teen, I wondered why it was ok for my boyfriend to have hair literally everywhere, while I spent so much time shaving. Now, 20 years later, I got the answer. Koohestani explains us why body hair is political, how capitalism profits from pink tax and why we should start breaking the rules that bind us down. She also tells about how she suffered from the shaved ideal and what she put herself through. Moving and educational in one.

Volume 7 of the weird German way to publish the GoT books. But hey - more books, more money 😅

It's been three years since my last volume, but I was back in the story with no trouble at all. And I enjoyed it once again. There is something to these books that draws you in, right? I loved Brienne, I think hers were my favorite chapters. And to avoid waiting another three years, I started vol 8 already.

#serieslove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

And just in time before I need to start working I finished setting up my #BookSpinBoard 😁

@TheAromaofBooks

It seems like this is the month of Assassinorum: Kingmaker - not only is it my first #roll100 pick, but now it also has become my #BookSpin 😁 And my bookish bestie went all “you have to read that book!“ 😄

My #DoubleSpin is the second book by Aurora Venturini translated in German. I was quite impressed by “The Cousins“.

@TheAromaofBooks

#unpopularopinion

I was curious about the new trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett, but even though the basic idea of this world is fascinating, it didn't work for me. It all lacks depth and atmosphere. The characters as well as the world building. Most of the characters were solely names to me and I forgot about them as soon as they left the scene. I wasn't as invested in the case as I'd hoped I'd be. But I'll give it a second chance anyway.

I have finally managed to rearrange my library. It took me about three months, but it was worth it. And a lot of fun, too. For my sci-fi/fantasy & novels section I tried a color scheme. Sort of. Now I have more space for more books! Yey!

Rossa and Secco were always there, helping in their own cat-ish way 😸

This was an easy choice as well. Another book with a huge impact on the way I think and see the world.

#bookofthemonth #botm

Well, for once the choice was pretty easy. No explanations needed. 😅

#bookofthemonth #botm

Actually, I thought to only read one of the Warhammer Guides each month. But then #BookSpinBingo happend and I thought “I get a bingo if I read one more“ and after that “I get another bingo if I read one more.“ And somehow I managed three bingos like that 😆

Happy Easter, Littens!

#BookSpin #DoubleSpin
@TheAromaofBooks

This book is a loud cry for a gender sensitive language. I thought I'd learn how to stand up for queer friendly language in a discussion, but I actually learnd a lot about why our brain works the way it does. And why so many people shy away from using inclusive language. Juli Faber also explains why language matters and that every time we use gender inclusive language we are standing up against far-right politics.

Another short story from the Green Creek series. And I absolutely recommend reading them if you like the books. They give insight into what happens between the books and deepen the characters even more. Also, all the feels. Once again.

Since it'll be April soon (if I'm ready or not), here are my #roll100 books for next month. Can't wait for Robert Raths Kingmaker 😍

@PuddleJumper

I did judge this book by its cover, and for once I did right by it. It's not one of those books you're immediately hooked, but more like a slow-burn that draws you in more and more until you can't get enough. At least it was like this for me. I loved the combination of Historical Novel and Jewish life. I think I've learned a lot from reading this one. It's rather slow-paced, but when you think about it, traveling in 1890 wasn't that fast either.

Bookish Song Nr. 57: Porcelain Black - One Woman Army

I went to Spotify to look for a song for Robbie and Kelly, but found Jessie instead. And her crowbar.

I'm on the battlefield, like, oh my God (oh la la)
Knockin' soldiers down like House of Cards (oh la la)
I'm a one woman army (oh la la)
Yes, I'm a one woman army
(Oh la la, oh la la, oh la la)

Picture credit goes to the artist.

According to @TheAromaofBooks it will soon be April. So here's my #Bookspinbingo list.

(Really, April?!)

#BookSpin #DoubleSpin

This story, set after Heartsong, is all the feels. Really, ALL the feels. I recommend listening to the audio version, it almost made me cry. If you're a fan of the series, don't miss out on this short story.

There are heavy spoilers for people who haven't read the books yet or only just have started the series.

I stumbled across this anthology a couple of times, so I thought I give it a shot. There were some stories I liked, especially the one about domestic violence, but all in all it was just a so-so for me. Still, I like how many different ways of living and loving this book collects. It shows us that there is so much more out there and how colorful life can be.
#litsymademedoit

I'm so glad I didn't give up this series after the first book. It just keeps getting better and better with each volume. More than once I caught myself thinking “I want to ditch whatever I'm doing now and going back to Robbie.“ I was touched and more than once I had to laugh out loud. And I especially loved the ace rep ❤

If you want to learn about the Picts, this is the book to go for. But I'd only recommend it if you're a history buff, because it's heavy on wars and names and the writing style a little dry. I wanted to learn more about the normal folk, but it seems like there isn't a lot of data just yet. There is a bit of this in the afterword of the 2016 edition.
I may have or have not ordered another book by this author 😉

#roll100 @PuddleJumper

Thank you for tagging me @Eggs ❤

1. In my family we used to celebrate most of the important Christian holidays. Christmas with my father, Easter & New Year's Eve with my aunt and granny. Now I think it's my wife's and my anniversary ❤
2. My wife of course ❤
3. Once or twice a year my parents and I went on holiday to this small German town and I loved it each and every time. I cherish these memories. And of course dog walks.

#wondrouswednesday

Terry Pratchett wrote strong and independent women before it was cool 😁 I prefer the English title to the German one, since it shows more what the book is about. Still an ongoing topic, even though the book was published in 1987. Pratchett is timeless.

#roll100 @PuddleJumper
#serieslove2024 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

#StarWarsBuddyRead @BookwormAHN

I've never heard of Bubble and Squeak before reading this book. But how could I not look up a vegan version of this recipe? I mean it's called "Bubble and Squeak" ?

It had some Röschti vibes but with more veggies in ?

Bookish Song Nr. 56 - Troublemaker

I wasn't really looking for a special song, just skipping through Spotify, but when this song started playing it just immediately threw me back into this book. There sure is a lot of trouble going on and the beat fits the story telling imo. Really, this book is still spinning around in my head 😄

Soft pick because it took me some time to get into the book. It's written in an easy language, which is why I think it might be a good pick for people that don't read that much or often. I started watching the movie but couldn't finish it because I felt so sorry for Tokue. Where the movie was too much emotion, the book didn't have enough for a long time. Only in the second half I felt invested. Still, the story made me think quite a lot.

It hurts a little to say goodbye to the Hobbits again. I really felt with Frodo and at the same time I was so proud of him. Loved the others, too. And there are even female characters! When I first read it six years ago, I didn't really pay attention to this. This is how we change as we grow older and this way we can find new things in old beloved books. ❤

For how many years have I wanted to read this book? Ever since I finished my first Kingfisher book. I'm happy I finally managed to read it, thanks to #DoubleSpin & @TheAromaofBooks
Surprisingly, it took quite a while for me to get into the story. Only when the Dust Wife appeared, I slowly started to come to terms with this book. But after that I was all in. I started to love the characters, liked the world and the feminist plot. And the sidekicks.